Interteaching

Interteaching

I sat on the porch together with my dad thinking about what our “normal “ life has turned out to be with the outbreak of  Covid -19 that forced us to spend most of our time at home. I looked at him, and thought of how times flies; he is now 50 years old. Why does he have to smoke? My dad is one amazing person, well I guess most girls out here say so about their dads. Never the less mine is the most amazing.

I observed him for some time before beginning the interview, “Hey, father.”Yes, honey,” he replies. I immediately start asking my questions, ”Why do you have to smoke daddy. “He smiles and says,” Well kid, there’s no doubt that quitting is one of my greatest desires, but it is so hard “ He pauses for some time  then continues .”I first smoked when I was 22 years old..

Well, most of my friends then were smokers. Smoking was a part of me as it seemed cool and a form of rebellion. “.So that means my dad has been smoking almost his whole life “So dad, how can you say your life and health changed as a result of smoking.”Without hesitating, he says, ” I  recently noticed I had difficulties in breathing and handling difficult tasks. Before going for therapy, I would cough every morning and easily catch a cold. I was also not so presentable, which made me lose some friends and even my job. I didn’t understand why they were never comfortable around me, but once I reduced smoking, I understood why. Smoking in some bars is still legal. It was also so expensive, and often I had to buy many packs ”. I look at him for some time then ask, “So what made you decide to try quitting. “He smiles and says, “Darling, you guys, here gave me the reasons. I decided to be the best dad in the world and give you the life you deserve. More so, I found myself feeling guilty about it, and my health was also deteriorating. What you guys do not know is that I always tried quitting .” How sweet. I watch him every day attending therapy sessions and taking the medications. Well, it is quite challenging .”Daddy, what challenges are you facing now that you are trying to quit “.He looked at me shamefully before saying, ” Honestly, for some time, I felt like smoking was a part of me, and it was hard to let go of it. Also, some circumstances made me smoke. One of them is driving, every time I drove, I would smoke. However, stress was my greatest trigger. I thought I could not manage without smoking. But now I know that wasn’t true. Another reason was the friends I had,.When you hang around people who smoke, it makes it difficult for you to give up(Winickoff, Jonathan & Sarah,24). But what is more challenging now is having to watch you guys look at me every day knowing you had to bear with my smoking all those years .”

How proud I am for this man .it is not every day that every day people decide to make permanent changes in their lives. I look admiringly at him and say, “Daddy, I am so proud of you; we are going to get through this together as a family. I understand you have your questions, but I just wanted to know you better . I am forever grateful for you .”

 

 

Work Cited

Winickoff, Jonathan P., and Sarah E. Winickoff. “Potential solutions to electronic cigarette use among adolescents.” Paediatrics 138.2 (2016): e20161502.